Justice, who grew up in Tavares and has managed other Lowe’s centers, said the store will open Jan. 10 for employees and Jan. 11 to the public.

Mayor Ed Wolf said Wildwood and the area need more work force housing priced less than $200,000 and many workers commute from Ocala or Crystal River due to the shortage.

He said affordable work force housing may be included in the massive expansion of The Villages south of State Road 44.

The 103,000-square-foot Lowe’s with a 37,000-square-foot garden center is the first store to be built in Trailwinds.

Job fair Thursday for new Lowe’s at Trailwinds Village

The new Lowe’s home improvement store will hold a job fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. Lowe’s will hold a job fair at its hiring office at Peppertree Plaza on N. U.S. Hwy 301 to accept applications for part-time and full-time roles. The roles include cashiers, loaders, stockers, delivery drivers, customer service associates and sales specialists in flooring, millwork, appliances and pro services.

To learn more about available positions and apply online, visit Jobs.lowes.com

Other stores include an Aldi grocery store, an ABC Liquor Store and a Circle K gasoline station.

The development also will include 10 small office buildings, a 247,000-square-foot storage building, more retail stores, and assisted living center and possibly a hotel.

In other business Monday night, commissioners:

Approved plats for three Village of Fenney neighborhoods, including the 66-unit Live Oak Villas, the 80-unit Magnolia Villas and a 126-home subdivision.

Approved the site plan for a 7,453-square-foot O’Reilly Auto Parts store and zoning for the All Around Aluminum business, both on U.S. 301.

Voted to permit a cell phone tower on property owned by T & D Concrete in the South Wildwood Industrial Park.